AEGiS-15IAC: Challenges of HIV prevention in Central Asia.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Challenges of HIV prevention in Central Asia.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10074)

Artaman A, Rafiev H
Avicenna International Foundation, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

ISSUES: Central Asia has one of the highest incidence and lowest prevalence rates of HIV infection in the world. Since early 2000s, UN-affiliated organizations have been warning Central Asian governments and international donors of a potential HIV surge in the region. Various reports highlight the importance of an urgent action to prevent spread of HIV in the region and to neighboring countries.

DESCRIPTION: This presentation starts with an overview of demographics and population health indicators of Central Asia. It will then cover patterns and forecasts of HIV infection in the region. Subsequently, a list of challenges of HIV prevention in Central Asian countries will be presented.

LESSONS LEARNED: In Central Asian countries, which are experiencing socioeconomic transition, there have not been many effective HIV prevention programs in recent years. Although there have been a number of youth awareness campaigns in Central Asian countries, thorough national and regional HIV epidemiological assessments have not been conducted in these countries. This stems from lack of an interdisciplinary approach to public health promotion in general and HIV prevention in particular. In addition, civil society has not had a strong voice in HIV prevention strategy development in Central Asian countries.

RECOMMENDATIONS: A benefit of developing sound HIV policies and adopting suitable HIV infection control models in Central Asia is prevention of HIV spread to neighboring countries such as Afghanistan in where there is no well-developed health infrastructure. Youth (and sexuality) health programs in the former Asiatic republics of the Soviet Union should be more seriously taken into consideration by local and international health policy-makers and donors.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Prevalence, Incidence, HIV Seropositivity, Organizations, United Nations, Asia, Central, USSR, Afghanistan, prevention & control

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